Minister of State for Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D. has, encouraged visitors to this year’s Africa Day flagship Dublin event to leave the car at home and make their journey to the celebrations a sustainable one. Africa Day will take place in the grounds of Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, 27th May from 11am to 6pm. There will be no parking available in the Phoenix Park or at Farmleigh for visitors to Africa Day.

Irish Aid – with the support of Dublin Bus – has put in place increased free shuttle bus services to the event, as well as increased bike parking facilities at Farmleigh. Public transport services close to the venue are also being heavily promoted by the organisers.

Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Minister Cannon said: “Alongside Kenya, Ireland proudly played an essential role in negotiating the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development. We each have a special responsibility to work towards their achievement. That does not have to be through grand gestures, but simple actions such as leaving the car at home and taking public transport.

“As well as attracting new audiences, most visitors return to Africa Day year-after-year, and while this is welcome, we are very aware of the environmental footprint of the event as it grows. This year, I am asking everyone who is planning to attend Africa Day celebrations to think about their journey to this ‘no parking’ event.

“Irish Aid is very pleased that Dublin Bus has come on board as an event partner through the provision of a free shuttle bus service from Park Gate Street to the Chesterfield Roundabout. Buses will run every couple of minutes and will operate after the event ends to ensure attendees get back to trains, trams and other bus stops with ease,” added Minister Cannon.

Commenting on its participation in Africa Day 2018, Chief Executive of Dublin Bus, Ray Coyne said: “We are proud to support Africa Day’s flagship Dublin event, once again. As the largest public transport provider in the Greater Dublin Area, it is important to Dublin Bus that we contribute to the communities in which we operate and our support of cultural events, throughout the city, reflects our commitment.”

A wide range of travel options are available to Africa Day 2018 attendees:

The Africa Day Dublin flagship family event takes place in the grounds of Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, 27th May. It will feature three stages of live music with performances by well-known African and Irish musicians, traditional African drumming and dance workshops and cultural performances. The flagship event will also feature an African bazaar showcasing food, hair-braiding and traditional fashion designs from various African countries, and a dedicated children’s area, ‘Mount Kiddimanjaro’. A special emphasis will be placed on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the simple ways attendees can contribute to their achievement.

The programme of Africa Day events in Ireland is coordinated and supported by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It aims to highlight the scope and benefits of Ireland’s engagement with Africa and increase public awareness of Irish Aid’s development programme throughout Africa.